This course teaches you how to recognise sepsis early in adults, assess risk using NEWS2 and the NICE approach, deliver the Sepsis Six, and escalate within the time frames that matter. It includes worked examples, common pitfalls in groups who present atypically, and a case study with weak and strong reflection after a delayed diagnosis.
What you will learn
- Define sepsis and septic shock and explain why early recognition affects outcome.
- Identify adults at higher risk of sepsis and recognise atypical presentations in older, immunocompromised, pregnant and recently postpartum patients.
- Use NEWS2 and the current NICE sepsis guidance (NG253) to stratify risk and decide on the urgency of review and antimicrobial treatment.
- Deliver the Sepsis Six in the right order and document each element, including source identification and fluid resuscitation.
- Escalate effectively, communicate with patients and families, and reflect on a sepsis incident with a clear remediation plan.
Course content
- What sepsis is and why time matters (2 min)
- Recognising sepsis (2 min)
- Risk stratification with NEWS2 and NICE (5 min)
- The Sepsis Six (3 min)
- Escalation and communication (2 min)
- Case study: a missed opportunity (3 min)
- Regulator expectations and remediation plan (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NICE NG253: Suspected sepsis in people aged 16 or over: recognition, assessment and early management (2025), which partially updates and replaces NG51; with NG254 (under 16s) and NG255 (pregnant or recently pregnant people)
- Royal College of Physicians: National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 (2017)
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges: Statement on the initial antimicrobial treatment of sepsis
- UK Sepsis Trust: Sepsis Six and clinical toolkits
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including preserving safety and escalating concerns
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024)
- GMC and NMC: Openness and honesty when things go wrong: the professional duty of candour
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.